"Old Man Zhang, Junior Brother Yang, wait a moment. This child possesses the Innate Dao Physique, which truly suits my Alchemy lineage. He is most suitable to be my disciple. Can you two grown men not yield to me, a weak woman?"
Seeing Zhang Jingzhong make the first move, Liang Jingru and Yang Kun could no longer hold back and began to bicker again.
There was no other choice...
In this era, not only were good masters hard to find, but outstanding disciples were equally rare.
On the long and endless path of cultivation, an excellent disciple was extremely important.
Disciples could not only inherit one's legacy and promote one's lineage but also guarantee loyalty, effectively providing a trustworthy and reliable helper in the future.
The relationship between master and disciple was akin to father and son, and their interests were intertwined. Under normal circumstances, they were inseparable.
This meant that under normal circumstances, if the master encountered trouble, the disciple would have to do their utmost to help.
...
Otherwise, not to mention the pressure from public opinion, even the master's enemies would not let go of the devoted disciple.
An excellent disciple was an excellent helper, and this was generally the case.
There were exceptions, but they were only about ten percent.
...
Books say that ninety-nine percent of sweat is stronger than one percent of inspiration, but this is just words on paper.
In reality, one percent of inspiration is far stronger than ninety-nine percent of sweat.
In this world, there are some things that you can never achieve, no matter how hard you try.
Talent is king; it is everything!
Judging by the aptitude Qi Heng has displayed, if nothing unexpected happens, he will surely suppress everyone of his generation and ascend to become a Celestial King, then a Celestial Emperor.
A solitary moon hangs in the sky, its radiant light illuminating the world, dimming all the stars.
At that level, it would be the disciple giving back to the master, allowing the master to benefit.
This was the reason why Zhang Jingzhong, Liang Jingru, and Yang Kun were so eager.
They all understood what it meant to take a peerless genius as a disciple.
...
In the Yin-Yang Immortal Palace, there was also another prodigy.
This prodigy was a female disciple with the Innate Spiritual Body.
Upon entering the sect, her status as a peerless prodigy was confirmed, creating a huge stir within the Yin-Yang Immortal Palace and triggering a grand scene of elders vying for a peerless prodigy.
To be honest, if Zhang Jingzhong, Liang Jingru, and Yang Kun hadn't shown such great tacit understanding and taken Qi Heng away in advance.
Within an hour, the competition would have become even fiercer, and it wouldn't be unusual for over a dozen elders to fight over a single disciple.
However, even with three people fighting over one disciple, their arguments escalated, and they began to retort sharply.
...
"The Talisman lineage is nothing special. Besides drawing some useless talismans, what else can they do?"
"He has the Innate Dao Physique, and the most suitable path for him is undoubtedly my Alchemy lineage. Alchemists are such noble practitioners, the first among the hundred arts of immortals."
...
"Senior Sister Liang is right. This child is indeed not suitable for Old Man Zhang's Talisman lineage, but the most suitable path for him is not Alchemy, but my Sorcery lineage."
...
"Hmph, this child has the Innate Dao Physique, making him most adept at manipulating the primordial fires of heaven and earth. He will surely become a grand master alchemist in the future. Learning other paths will only hinder his future achievements."
Zhang Jingzhong, Liang Jingru, and Yang Kun argued until they were red-faced, on the verge of a physical altercation.
Just then, an uninvited guest appeared in the palace.
Zhou Zihan, the purple-robed elder of the Artifact Refining lineage of the Yin-Yang Immortal Palace, suddenly appeared in the hall.
Clearly, Zhou Zihan, the purple-robed elder of the Artifact Refining lineage, had also received news of the emergence of a peerless prodigy like Qi Heng and had rushed over.
"Stop arguing, everyone. My Artifact Refining..."
Zhou Zihan, the purple-robed elder of the Artifact Refining lineage with a muscular build, hadn't finished speaking when he immediately noticed that the heated debate in the hall had suddenly ceased.
The gazes of Zhang Jingzhong, Liang Jingru, and Yang Kun were all fixed on him.
Zhang Jingzhong, Liang Jingru, and Yang Kun were all looking at him with eyes that seemed ready to devour him.
...
Zhang Jingzhong stared intently at Zhou Zihan, his old eyes fixed on him. Grinding his teeth, he managed to spit out a few words.
"Junior Brother Zhou, I, this elder, warn you. The ownership of this child is to be decided by the three of us. Your sudden interference is going too far."
"I've made myself clear. If you still want to take this child, you'd better consider whether your teeth, Zhou Zihan, are strong enough to chew on this, and if you truly have the capability."
This was a very obvious, naked threat.
Moreover, it came from a purple-robed elder of the same rank. After Zhang Jingzhong finished speaking, the gazes shot by Liang Jingru and Yang Kun made Zhou Zihan unconsciously soften.
Although Zhou Zihan eventually spoke his mind, everyone present understood the hint of compliance in his tone.
"Everyone, what's the use of us arguing back and forth? Why not listen to the child's own wishes? After all, a forced melon is not sweet."
Zhou Zihan's words immediately reminded the three of them. They had been arguing heatedly here, yet they hadn't asked Qi Heng, the person concerned, for his opinion.
Especially Zhang Jingzhong, who immediately reacted and stopped his verbal argument with the others.
He turned his head to face Qi Heng and said gently, "Boy, you've been standing here for quite some time and have listened for long enough. You should have a clear idea by now. Which one of us do you intend to choose as your master?"
What Zhang Jingzhong said was also what the other three in the hall wanted to say. Eyes filled with immense pressure shot out and fell upon Qi Heng.
Qi Heng, who had not yet cultivated any cultivation, suddenly felt as if countless mountains were pressing down on his heart, making him feel incredibly heavy.
...
However, these four elders were all astute individuals. At this moment, they noticed Qi Heng's pressure and promptly retracted their intense gazes.
Qi Heng then relaxed a little. He immediately spoke, but not to answer Zhou Zihan's question. Instead, he knelt on both knees, directly prostrating himself, and spoke a different set of words.
This was completely unexpected by the four elders.
"Reporting to the four esteemed elders, I, this disciple, have just passed the assessment of the Yin-Yang Immortal Palace. I dare not make decisions on my own. I request that the four esteemed elders decide among yourselves. I will have no objections."
"However, before that, I, this disciple, am bold enough to ask the four esteemed elders for a request. I hope you can grant it?"
"Alas, boy, why are you kneeling? What are you doing? Hurry up and get up, and state your request!"
"Boy, you are quite polite. Speak quickly if you have any difficulties!"
"Hehehe, if you have a request, hurry up and say it. I, your master, will definitely help you fulfill it. Speak quickly!"
"Hahaha, why be so formal? We immortals don't stand on ceremony. Speak quickly if you have any problems!"
...
Zhang Jingzhong, Liang Jingru, Yang Kun, and Zhou Zihan, four Golden Immortal-level powerhouses, whether it was their inherent nature or not, were both amiable and benevolent. Even when facing a newly admitted disciple, they showed no pretense of superiority...
Even at this moment, Qi Heng, a newly admitted disciple, dared to present his request and conditions in front of the four purple-robed elders...
If this were to spread, within the Yin-Yang Immortal Palace, it would be initially assumed that Qi Heng had completely lost his mind and was tired of living.
Even in the mortal world, there were hierarchies and ranks, let alone the world of immortals where the strong preyed on the weak.
Given Qi Heng's current status, proposing his demands to the high-ranking purple-robed elders could be considered extreme disrespect.
Zhang Jingzhong, Liang Jingru, Yang Kun, and Zhou Zihan could even use this as a pretext to kill Qi Heng on the spot, and no one would dare to utter a word afterward.
After all, a dead genius is no longer a genius, and no one would offend an elder-level figure for a dead genius.
Logically speaking, given the intelligence Qi Heng had displayed earlier, he should not have acted so irrationally as to present his demands and conditions in front of the four purple-robed elders.
Yet, Qi Heng did precisely that, and what made it even more perplexing was that the four purple-robed elders readily agreed, even urging him on.
However, if this matter were broken down, it wouldn't be that difficult to understand. If Qi Heng were just an ordinary disciple, presenting conditions and demands to the four purple-robed elders would indeed be a great disrespect.
But the reality was that Qi Heng was not an ordinary disciple; he was a peerless prodigy. He had the capital to be willful and the qualification to make demands.
...
Under the watchful eyes of Zhang Jingzhong, Liang Jingru, Yang Kun, and Zhou Zihan, Qi Heng bowed respectfully and said, "Reporting to the four esteemed elders, I, this disciple, am just embarking on the immortal path and should not be presumptuous to make any requests."
"However, I am concerned for my elderly parents, remembering their nurturing kindness and the virtue of their teachings. My heart is uneasy. I implore the four esteemed elders to grant my request, bestow upon them spiritual pills and immortal medicine, so that they may live a hundred years free from illness."
As soon as Qi Heng finished speaking, the four, Zhang Jingzhong, Liang Jingru, Yang Kun, and Zhou Zihan, all showed expressions of surprise. Subsequently, their gazes towards Qi Heng deepened with admiration, and a hint of respect even appeared on their faces.
Zhang Jingzhong, Liang Jingru, Yang Kun, and Zhou Zihan, all in their hearts, believed Qi Heng's words without reservation, because his words carried a strong emotional resonance that could not be fabricated or deceive others.
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